Rocket Test Facility

Edwards Air Force Base has a rocket test facility along Leuhman
Ridge east of the base that went into operation about 1952. The facility, also known as Edwards Rocket
Base and Air Force Rocket Research Laboratory, contains rocket engine
test stands and captive rocket test stands. Many types of engines
were tested there. Among them were engines for the Bomarc, Navaho,
Mace, Atlas, Thor, Minuteman, Titan, Delta IV, Saturn, Space
Shuttle, Bell X-1A aircraft and rocket sleds. Early rocket sleds
were used to test captured V-2 rockets and later to test human
reaction to high acceleration.

Minuteman I

Several captive tests of the Minuteman I missile
were performed at
the Edwards Air Force Base Rocket Test Facility. The tests were to determine characteristics
and problems that might be associated with launching the Minuteman
from an underground silo. Initial tests were of a one-third scale
model of the missile and the silo. The first one-third scale test
was performed on 17 February 1959. By June 1959, a full scale silo
and test vehicle were ready for further tests. The first full scale
tethered captive test was performed on 15 September 1959. The test
missile had a 3 second burn time.